The Jackson City Council on June 17 approved changes to the city code increasing the salaries of the mayor and council members, with the council amending the ordinance to make the increases effective in 2029.

Clerk announced the ordinance amending sections of the city code to increase pay for the mayor and council. The council adopted an amendment replacing the originally proposed effective year of 2025 with 2029; that amendment passed by voice vote. Councilmember Aaron Banks moved a second amendment raising the proposed council salary from $35,000 to $40,000, which passed on a roll call recorded as 5 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention. The final ordinance, as amended, was then adopted by the body; a final recorded vote on the item after later procedural votes was recorded as five in favor with other votes recorded as opposed or abstentions depending on the motion stage.

Opponents cited optics and concerns about raising pay while city finances and service priorities remain under public scrutiny. Supporters argued higher pay will help the city attract younger and more diverse candidates and reflect the time commitment of council service. Councilman Foote said he opposed increasing pay because of “bad optics” and that the council position should not appear to be full-time pay.

Council members also discussed that council pay had not been increased substantially for many years and that current base pay was about $25,000 per year. The ordinance as amended takes effect in 2029; it does not change current salaries for sitting members before that date.